This is completely inaccurate. I think EVERY sportswriter in the world makes it perfectly clear when they make their bowl projections that just because a bowl matchup says:
SEC #3 vs. Big 12 #2
. . . it does not mean that they are obligated to take the second-place Big 12 team. It means they get the second CHOICE of Big 12 teams and can take a 6-6 team over an 12-1 team if they so desire.